Susan Katz Keating

Guest Post From Vietnam Veterans Memorial Founder Jan Scruggs: "Please Join Gen. Barry McCaffrey and Me and Help Us Remember the Legacy of Service" in Vietnam

2012-02-17T00:15:00.001-05:00

Daniel Case in Vietnam. His name is engraved on The Wall.

Many years ago, my longtime pal Jan Scruggs invited my daughter Courtney to speak at a Congressional breakfast on Capitol Hill. Courtney had to stand on a milk carton in order to see over the podium, but she made her point, asking lawmakers to build an education center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Now, with the education center set to break ground this year, Jan is a guest at my place. He doesn't need to stand on a milk carton to deliver his important message, but I'm more than happy to supply the soap box. Or billboard. Or forum. In any case... Take it away, Jan...

My name is Jan C. Scruggs, Founder and President of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Thirty years ago, I helped build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This monument healed millions with the engravings on a black granite wall. Now, I am taking those names and putting a story and picture behind it in a new museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC: the Education Center at The Wall.

The Education Center at The Wall will change the people who visit it. For the nearly 40 percent of visitors who weren’t even born when The Wall was completed, it will transform the long list of names cut in the smooth black granite. Instead of simply names, visitors will see the faces and know the stories of the 58,000 heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

Through interactive exhibits and primary source materials, visitors will be able to better understand the profound impact the Vietnam War had on their family members, their home towns, their communities and the nation. Visitors will understand the importance of The Wall and the role it continues to play in healing the deep physical, emotional and societal wounds left by the war.

One of those interactive exhibits is called the Call for Photos. VVMF is trying to collect every single photograph of each person on The Wall. People are sending us photographs daily, along with personal remembrances. Here is one we recently received. It was written for Daniel Case, from Kirk C. Allison:

‘This is what your parents, Novella and Casius, called you when they spoke of you. I was halfway to ten, benefiting from their kindness at Broadway Christian Church in Wichita. They mentioned your being on the riverboat, but did not speak often or in detail as the weeks passed. One Sunday, they did not teach the class - we were told they had received news: you had been seriously wounded. Some time passed; then I was told that you had died - their only son and child. Before that time I did not know the face of death, and did not know what to expect. I still remember you as you lay in state - your very noble face. As they now have joined you in death, having continued to live with their sorrow very quietly and with great kindness (faithful to the Resurrection and Life), in this Memorial Day's night and early morning, it is good to remember you, their loving kindness, and great sacrifice.’

It’s my goal to share Kirk’s submission in the Education Center, so generations to come can know the legacy of this great patriot. It’s also my goal to break ground on the Education Center this Veterans Day.

In order to raise the rest of the needed funds so we can break ground, from now until Veterans Day, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is issuing a Service Branch Challenge. The challenge is for each of us to support the Education Center and show pride in one of the branches of the service.

General Barry McCaffrey, USA (Ret) has agreed to lead the charge for the US Army, in their efforts. “The Education Center at The Wall will be a place where our fallen comrades and their stories will live on forever,” said McCaffrey. “I’m proud to lend my support and encourage those who love the US Army to get involved. Supporters of the Army are already leading the way, and have donated more than $21,000. I challenge leaders of the other branches to step up to try and catch us.”

Join Gen. McCaffrey and me in some good natured competiveness and help us remember the legacy of service made by all 9,000,000 million men and women who served with the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard during the Vietnam War Era.

Jan C. Scruggs,
President and Founder of VVMF
www.vvmf.org

Army Combat Veterans Ordered to Wear Fake Breasts & Bellies for Empathy Training

2012-02-16T10:26:00.000-05:00

This is not a joke. I promise. It's way to soon for April Fool's Day, and... really... I got it from Carrie Costantini, so you know it's Truth. That doesn't make it any easier to take, of course...

Read the whole sorry tale here, at Stars and Stripes.

Year of the Keel-Haul, Extended-V: Is the Cowpens a Cursed Ship? An Expert Weighs In

2012-02-15T13:43:00.000-05:00

Holly? I thought you were.... gone!

What is going on with the USS Cowpens? Is the ship jinxed, or what? First Holly Graf gets booted from command; and now her successor, Captain Robert Marin, is over the rails. And there's a fair amount of backstory about un-ship-shapely ratings in years gone by.

The first one to openly raise the curse issue was Old Mossback, who read my post about Captain Marin, and left this comment: I know there are some people who may think I am being foolish, but there are ships that are cursed and a floating jinx.

There followed such a string of observations, including many about the alleged curse, that I grew concerned. Is the Mighty Moo in fact bewitched in a bad-scary manner? Is such a thing even possible? How can we tell? The Seaweed Semaphores were useless on these questions, so naturally I turned to an expert. Some of you may recall that my friend and Metaphysician Johnnie TwoBrows has popped in on this blog with a couple birthday horoscopes for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. I put it to him straight: Is the Mighty Moo laboring under a curse? Is such a thing even possible? If yes and yes, what is to be done about it?

Here's what Johnnie said.

Many people want to ascribe a metaphysical meaning to everything. The truth of the matter is that while the "magickal" world--or metaphysical, if you prefer--does have hexes and curses, the vast percentage of the time no such thing has actually occurred. I have clients who routinely believe that they have been cursed and in my years of psychic/metaphysical practice I've almost never seen it happen. Even on the rare occasion when it does happen, it is usually unintentional and the identity of the caster is not known.

So do I think the USS Cowpens is "cursed"? No way. I don't think there's anything metaphysical going on. I wish I could tell you that burning 1000 sage bundles on the stern of the Cowpens in the light of a Scorpio full moon would "break the curse", but the truth is there is no curse to break. Too many Hollywood movies have addled our brains on this topic. : )

Regarding the dismissal of two separate captains of the Cowpens in such a short period of time, I'm not even sure what to think since I don't know the specifics of the whole situation. But again, there are a lot of mundane factors at work here and likely there are no metaphysical overtones. If, as has been proposed, crewmembers called the hotline to complain about the Cowpens' COs, I hope their allegations were truthful. If they were not they'll be taking on a hell of a karmic debt.

WIth that said, if the Navy, its leadership, or the USS Cowpens' leaders or crew BELIEVE that the ship is cursed, then a self-fulfilling prophecy could occur and problems could multiply. Again, that comes from attitude and belief that there is a curse. Honestly, with no offense or disrespect intended to the USS Cowpens, its officers or enlisted personnel, it's much easier to blame a curse than to take responsibility for your behavior or performance.

Please thank those who you contact who are--or were--in uniform for me for their service. It is appreciated!

Consider that part done! For more of Johnnie's thoughts on curses and the Cowpens, head on over to his place!

In Which I Hold a Valentines' Day Party for My Readers...

2012-02-14T00:15:00.001-05:00

Oh, go ahead. You know you want one. I made plenty for all the branches and supporters. Besides... it's Valentines' Day. What's one cookie going to hurt? Um... weapons on safety for the duration of the party, please...

The cool thing about a virtual party: Bottomless cookie jar!

Reflections on the Continuing News of the Death of Whitney Houston...

2012-02-13T16:08:00.004-05:00

No words. The poster speaks for itself.

Okay, so I do have words. Ask me if I care whether Bobby Brown said he
loved Whitney. Seriously. Look at the bottom photo, and ask me what I care about.

Reprising a Scene Worth Saving: The Eagle Standing Guard at National Cemetery

2012-02-13T00:15:00.001-05:00

H/T my friend and museum partner Susan Borschel, who sent this along to remind me that some things are worth looking at - over, and over, and over....

A June morning at the National Cemetery in Minneapolis , MN, as
captured by a photographer for the Minneapolis Star/Tribune.

The Year of the Keel-Haul Rotates Into 2012: Holly Graf Replacement Fired From Cowpens

2012-02-10T16:08:00.006-05:00

The seaweed does not lie.

This just in via the ever-communicative Seaweed Semaphores: Captain Holly Graf's replacement aboard the USS Cowpens has been fired. The newly ousted commander, Captain Robert Marin, took over the Cow after Holly Graf was keel-hauled in early 2010. Now Marin has been tossed overboard, allegedly for "inappropriate behavior."

This news of course explains all those blog hits I've been getting from Yokosuka, Japan, where the Cow is based. Marin is not the first Navy officer to get tossed from command this year. Just last month, Capt. Jeffrey Riedel was fired from his position as program manager for littoral combat ships at Naval Sea Systems Command.

More on this as it floats in...

Update: And it has! Sort of. I have a somewhat lighthearted update here. Unless, of course, you believe in curses....

Parade Week, Continued: Line the Streets, and Welcome the Soldiers Home

2012-02-09T00:15:00.001-05:00

Boq hasn't let up on the flag, and I haven't let up on the heroes issue. NY Giants, you did a great job, but let's talk about who deserves the big parade. H/T for finding the pic to our intrepid Cpl. Todd Love, who continues to be a one-Marine parade on a daily basis.

Everyone in this pic merits a hero's welcome home.

How to Spot a Hero in Uniform, on the Field of Play

2012-02-08T10:25:00.002-05:00

Still on the topic of heroes...

Some people boast about living the personal dream. Others dedicate themselves to making sure others don't have to dream about living a decent life.

Parade for the Giants? My Heroes Wear Combat Boots and Dogtags

2012-02-07T10:11:00.001-05:00

Football? It's a very nice game. But the real men contend upon this field.

Talks Have Been Progressing Late Into the Night Re Marines in Darwin

2012-02-06T00:15:00.002-05:00

I wonder if it has anything to do with Cuzzie Lois offering to bake lemon bars for the Marines? Whatever the reason... the Big Guys are trying to work out the details on deploying that Marine unit to Australia later this year. Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations, said Saturday that he is hashing it out with Gen. Jim Amos, the Marine Commandant. I'm telling ya, guys. Whatever you decide: make sure the deal includes my cousin's lemon bars! The perfect pre-beer snack!

Okay, Lois. Now will you send in a new report?

Super Bowl Sunday! GO ARMY! BEAT NAVY!

2012-02-05T16:00:00.001-05:00

Oh, wait. Wrong game.... Heh.

More Uniform Encounters: A Marine and His Dog

2012-02-05T00:15:00.001-05:00

Yes, Dear Ones; I remain on assignment. But I could not resist taking a minute to post this pic of a boy and his dog. All together, now: Awwww....

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Nick Lacarra provides security in a field with his dog,
Coot, during a patrol with Afghan Border Police in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Lacarra is an improvised explosive device detection dog handler assigned to
Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder

Uniform Encounters: Have a Good War! And a laugh, While You're at It

2012-02-02T00:15:00.003-05:00

I always get good stuff from Carrie Costantini. No, not the letter. The picture! I love the look on the soldier's face.

Neither my friends nor their children sent this card. Honest.

Milspotters' Challenge: Eglin in the Long-Ago

2012-02-01T00:15:00.001-05:00

Any guesses? As always, Vietnam Rules apply.

NOT Holly Graf. No way, no how.

When Soldiers Get Bored, They Get... Creative With Video! Cue Laughter.

2012-01-31T16:00:00.001-05:00

Too much spare time, lads? *snicker*

Sojourn at Eglin Air Force Base: A Backdated Pre-set Post!

2012-01-31T11:12:00.002-05:00

So much for auto-post and pre-set and using a device other than my own trusted laptop...

I spent nearly the past week at Eglin AFB in Florida, on a mission to be revealed at a future date. I met some amazing people, learned much, and saw some of my all-time favorite aircraft. I had planned to allow my blog to update itself automatically in my absence (via pre-set posting), but now have found that.... it didn't take. So much for technology. But why let that be an excuse to deprive you of a couple cool pics?

Herwewith, the first.

DoD’s first production F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighter flies toward its new home at
Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., escorted by Marine Corps F-18 Hornets.
The Marine variant of the JSF belongs to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joely Santiago

Milspotters' Challenge: A Quiz Question!

2012-01-27T10:39:00.000-05:00

What does a Marine say when he sees a helicopter?

(Thank you, Bill, for providing the intel on this...)

Uniform Encounters: When the Sea-Lights Come On, the Planes Fly in for Chow

2012-01-26T08:54:00.000-05:00

The Chief Torpedo-Dude was so taken with the "supper time for li'l Hornet" pic that he sent this. Someone must have rung the bell: "Hey, kids! It's getting dark! Time to set the table....!"

Just in time! The sea-lights already came on!

This Just in From Pentagon: Details on the Hostage Rescue in Somalia

2012-01-25T15:28:00.000-05:00

"They were heavily armed and had explosives at the site...."

The Pentagon press folks just sent over this write-up by Cheryl Pellerin of the American Forces Press Service. Take it away, Cheryl...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2012 – While President Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union address last night, a joint special operations forces team was finishing up a dramatic rescue of two hostages -- one of whom was seriously ill -- from an armed encampment in Somalia.

“A convergence of factors contributed to the decision to undertake the operation last night,” Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters here today.

Among those factors was a window of opportunity for mission success, he said, and information that one of the captured humanitarian workers, Jessica Buchanan of the United States, had a serious medical condition that could threaten her life.

“That added a sense of urgency to the need to move ahead,” Little said, “and that along with other considerations led to the decision to go with the operation yesterday.”

Details of what happened on the scene still are being determined, he said, adding that nine criminal suspects were killed during the rescue.

“They were heavily armed and had explosives at the site,” Little said.

Buchanan and Poul Thisted of Denmark worked for the Danish Demining Group, a nonprofit humanitarian organization for which the two were teaching local Somalis how to remove land mines from their environment. They were kidnapped at gunpoint Oct. 25 near Galcayo, Somalia, and were being held for ransom, according to a U.S. Africa Command statement. When the U.S. Justice Department requested help from the Defense Department, the statement added, Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, Africom’s commander, was directed to plan and conduct the rescue operation.

Whenever an American is taken hostage overseas, the FBI becomes involved in the investigation, said Navy Capt. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman.

“There was close coordination with the FBI throughout [the operation],” Kirby added. “It was very much an interagency effort.”

The president authorized the operation Jan. 23, and the military commanders decided to move ahead with it yesterday, Kirby said. “We made the proper notifications that needed to be made in the region,” he added.

The joint special operations assault team landed near Cadaado in north-central Somalia on Jan. 23 in the early evening Washington time, Kirby said, but “the operation was not over until a number of hours later, when the hostages were secured and our service members were safely out of harm’s way.”

The president, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and other national security officials monitored the operation’s progress from the White House before leaving to attend the president’s State of the Union address. As the president spoke during the Capitol Hill event, Kirby said, “we knew at that point that shots had been fired [and] that casualties had been taken among the kidnappers, but more importantly, we knew that the two hostages were safe.”

Little said there have been consultations between the U.S. and Danish governments and that “some of those consultations occurred prior to the operation.”

During the rescue, the assault team made its way to the outdoor encampment and confirmed that Buchanan and Thisted were there, guarded by nine captors. After securing the location, the team found Buchanan and Thisted unharmed.

Details about Buchanan’s medical condition have not been released. “We believe it was pre-existing when she was taken hostage, and also have reason to believe that it was getting worse while she was in captivity,” Kirby said.

U.S. military doctors and nurses are treating Buchanan and Thisted at a medical facility in the region, he added, and their repatriation has yet to be worked out.

"Last night's mission, boldly conducted by some of our nation's most courageous, competent and committed special operations forces, exemplifies United States Africa Command's mission to protect Americans and American interests in Africa," Ham said in a statement.

"I am extraordinarily proud of the joint-service team that planned, rehearsed and successfully concluded this operation. Thanks to them, a fellow American and her Danish co-worker are safe and will soon be home with their families,” he added.

“We should remember that Mrs. Buchanan and Mr. Thisted were working to protect the people of Somalia when they were violently kidnapped,” the general said. “It is my hope that all those who work in Somalia for the betterment of the Somali people can be free from the dangers of violent criminals."

For more on the operation, see this: Special Operations Forces Rescue Hostages in Somalia

Rescue in Somalia: SEALs and Spec Ops Aviators Do it Again

2012-01-25T10:34:00.000-05:00

Go SEALs. Go Night Stalkers (I know it was you). *High five* for doin' it one more time!

A beautiful sight. But not if you're a pirate holding Western hostages in Somalia.
The helicopter belongs to the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

Uniform Encounters: The USS Carl Vinson Raises Such Polite Aircraft!

2012-01-24T00:15:00.001-05:00

Look how patiently the Hornet sits waiting in front of his food bowl. And you know he must be hungry, too - it's almost sunset in the Arabian Sea!

The hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.
U.S. Navy photo by Seaman George M. Bell

In Which Carrie Sends a Heads-Up on Oscar Mike, "Apparel With a Mission"

2012-01-23T00:15:00.003-05:00

I heard about this from Carrie Costantini, an avid troop-supporter and one of the coolest people I know. Marine Corps veteran Noah Currier runs Oscar Mike, a clothing company that features military-themed tees and hoodies. Noah served in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He was paralyzed - after being in an accident three days after he came home from war. He now spends his time helping other veterans, "...and making sure we all stay Oscar Mike or 'on the move' to influence positive change in ourselves and others." Check out the vid, and learn about Noah and his "Apparel With a Mission."

Thank you, Noah, for your service - and thank you, Carrie, for the heads-up!

Milspotters' Challenge: A Movie Still From "War Horse?"

2012-01-22T00:15:00.001-05:00

Or, more properly, a pic of a Warrior Horse. That's the only hint you're going to get. Okay; one more, for MiniCapt. This equine does not live in Canada.

A photo credit would give too much away! I'll post the credit after the Challenge is solved.
Vietnam Rules apply.

In Which Jan Scruggs Talks About PTSD and the Founding of The Wall

2012-01-20T11:30:00.001-05:00

In all the years that I have known Jan Scruggs, who founded that immensely powerful cultural touchstone known simply as The Wall, I never have known him to discuss the connection between the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and his own PTSD. Until now. Jan writes a blog chronicling the progress of his effort to build The Education Center at The Wall. The latest blog entry says this:

What many people do not know is that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial basically evolved due to PTSD. I was in Vietnam as a teen ager with the Army. I saw some combat and tragic deaths there from accidents , including an explosion in 1970 that killed a dozen of my fellow soldiers who were unloading a truck filled with ammunition. I was troubled by many memories of my year there.

Read the rest over at Jan's place. While you're there, be sure to tell him welcome home, and to thank him for his service.